Mr Morsi is to face a court on November 4 with 14 other senior Muslim Brotherhood figures. His whereabouts has been a secret since he disappeared on July 3 after he was removed from office.

Hundreds of pro-Morsi protesters have been shot dead during demonstrations against the military takeover, most recently on Sunday.

The charges against Mr Morsi relate to protests outside the presidential palace last December. An opposition camp was attacked by Muslim Brotherhood supporters, leading to violent clashes in which at least seven people were killed.

The Brotherhood claimed at the time that most of those who died were its supporters, and believe that the charges are political. "This is a trial held under the cannon of a tank," Mohammed Gharib, a lawyer for Mr Morsi, said.

Meanwhile, US president Barack Obama was poised to announce a reduction in military aid, according to briefings yesterday in Washington. Last Sunday's killing of 57 more protesters may have been the last straw for Mr Obama, who has been debating his response to Mr Morsi's overthrow for months.